Chapter 17 #2
“I’m saying,” Kieran replies evenly, “they’ll come for the Queen and her child again. And this time, they’ll aim to separate her from her protectors before they strike.” His eyes lift to Lucian’s. “You need to be ready.”
Lucian meets the warning without blinking. “I will be.”
The room goes still for a moment. Only the flames in the hearth move.
Leon shifts his weight. “And Selene? How is she?”
The question grinds through me like gravel. “She’s okay,” I say. “Still with Daciana. But she’s going to be fine. She blames herself.”
“Why?” Lucian frowns.
“She nearly killed her friend,” I say quietly. “You can’t talk guilt like that away. She says she felt the magic inside her lash out. She saw the damage she did. It doesn’t matter that she didn’t mean it.”
Leon looks at Kieran. “I heard you visited Daciana the other day.”
Kieran makes a noncommittal sound. I’m watching him when he says, “I’d like to stay a few more months than planned.”
Lucian stops mid-pace. “Why?”
Kieran leans back in the armchair, his expression unreadable.
“I plan to join the politics of the court. My kind have been in hiding for far too long. As a result, there are those who now consider us—people who can both shift and use magic—to be abominations.” He shakes his head. “I won’t let that stand unchallenged.”
Leon raises an eyebrow. “That’s a bold move.”
“It’s a necessary one,” Kieran says calmly.
I think back to three nights ago. I’d gone to check on Daciana, and I saw Kieran there—standing over her bed in the low light, his hand stroking her hair with a gentleness that didn’t fit the hard edges of the man I thought I knew. He didn’t say anything. Just stood there, watching her breathe.
I wonder if politics is the only reason he wants to stay.
Lucian nods slowly. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need, Alpha Kieran.”
“Appreciated.” Kieran’s gaze flicks to me, a knowing look in his eyes.
I push back from the table and get to my feet. “I’m going to go take my mate home now.”
“Give Selene our regards,” Leon says.
I don’t answer. I’m already halfway out the door.
The infirmary smells like herbs and antiseptics. I’ve memorized the scent by now; I’ve been here every day for a week.
When I step into her room, Daciana is awake, propped up on pillows. Her color is better, and she looks even stronger than she did yesterday.
Selene is asleep beside her, head resting on the mattress, one hand loosely holding Daciana’s. Her hair falls across her face, dark against her pale skin. She doesn’t wake up when her friend speaks.
“She finally fell asleep about an hour ago,” Daciana says softly. “Wouldn’t rest until I promised I’d wake her if I needed anything.”
I move closer, keeping my footsteps quiet.
The healer who was manipulated into helping Selene take Astra was found dead in her quarters two days ago.
Throat torn out. The official report says animal attack, but we all know better.
Whoever was controlling Zane made sure to tie up loose ends. Another ghost haunting the halls.
“I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to talk.”
“Don’t be.” Daciana’s voice is gentle but firm. “She needs you more than she needs to keep vigil over me.” Her gaze drops to Selene. “She has become a little fragile ever since what happened. I wish…” She trails off, swallowing hard. “I wish you could help her heal. Not all wounds are visible.”
“I will,” I say, and I mean it.
I crouch down beside Selene, brushing the hair from her face. There are dark circles under her eyes. Carefully, I slide one arm under her knees, the other around her back, and lift her into my arms.
She stirs, mumbling something incoherent against my chest.
“Shh,” I murmur. “I’ve got you.”
Her eyes flutter open, unfocused. “Seth?”
“Yeah. Taking you home.”
“But Daciana—”
“Is fine,” Daciana says from the bed. “Go. Please. You need some rest.”
Selene’s protest dies on her lips. She’s too spent to fight. Her head drops against my shoulder, and I feel the tension slowly drain from her body.
“Thank you,” I tell Daciana.
She only nods, a small smile touching her lips.
I carry Selene out into the brisk night air. The walk back to our quarters isn’t long, but she’s asleep again before we’re halfway there. The bond between us thrums quietly—still raw, still healing, but steady. Stronger every day.
Once inside, I kick the door shut behind us and head straight for the bedroom. I set my mate down on the bed as gently as I can, but her eyes open anyway.
“I should go back,” she says, voice thick with sleep.
“No.” I sit on the edge of the bed, my hand cupping her face. “You’ve done enough. Daciana’s recovering. She’s going to be fine.”
She looks at me for a long moment, her gaze softening. “I know. I just…I needed to be sure. After what happened—my claws—I couldn’t stop myself.”
“It wasn’t you.” My thumb strokes her cheek. “It was the binding. Zane was using you as his puppet. And he’s gone now. You’re free.”
“I know.” She leans into my touch, her eyes closing briefly. “It’s just hard to let go of the guilt.”
“Then, let me help you.” I lean down, pressing my forehead to hers. “You don’t have to carry it alone.”
Her hand comes up to rest against my chest, right over my heart. “I’ve been shutting you out.”
“Yeah, you have.” I catch her hand, holding it there. “But I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere.”
She opens her eyes, meeting mine. I see a shift in her expression—warmth overcoming exhaustion. “I missed you.”
The admission makes me feel warm. “I’ve been right here.”
“I know. But I’ve been so far away.” Her free hand slides up to trace my jaw. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just come back to me.”
She kisses me then—softly at first, tentatively, testing. I kiss her back, slow and deep, tasting the relief and the need and the promise of better days.
When she stops me, her breathing’s uneven, her cheeks flushed. “Stay with me tonight?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “Ever.”
A small smile tugs at her lips—the first real one I’ve seen in a week. “Good.”
She pulls me down onto the bed with her. I go willingly, stretching out beside her and gathering her close. She curls into me, her head on my chest, one leg tangled with mine.
The bond settles between us—warm, alive, healing.
“The binding’s really gone?” she asks quietly.
“Yes. Kieran said it snapped when Zane disintegrated. You’re free, Selene. Completely.”
She exhales slowly. “It feels like I can breathe again.”
“Then breathe.” I press a kiss to her hair. “We’re okay. Daciana’s okay. And tomorrow, you’re going to let her recover without hovering.”
She huffs a soft laugh against my chest. “Maybe.”
“Definitely.”
Her fingers trace idle patterns on my shirt, following the lines of muscle beneath. The touch is absent at first, then more deliberate. More present. Like she’s reminding herself I’m real.
“Seth?”
“Yeah?”
She tilts her head up, finding my eyes in the dim light. Her expression is open now, vulnerable in a way that makes my breath catch. “I love you.”
Everything stops.
The words hang in the air between us—three words she has never said before. The sentence I’ve been waiting to hear since the moment I knew she was mine.
My heart slams against my ribs. The bond flares white-hot, singing with the truth of it.
“What?” My voice comes out weak, disbelieving.
“I love you,” she says again, even more clearly this time. Her hand presses flat against my chest, right over my racing heart. “I should have said it before. I should have—”
I don’t let her finish. I kiss her hard, one hand tangling in her hair, the other gripping her hip like she might disappear if I don’t hold on tight enough. She gasps against my mouth, her fingers curling into my shirt.
When I finally pull back, I’m breathing like I’ve run a mile. “Say it again.”
Her lips curve, eyes shining. “I love you, Seth.”
Something in my chest cracks wide open. “You have no idea—” I have to stop, swallowing hard. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner.” Her thumb brushes across my jaw. “I was scared. And after everything, I didn’t know if I could—if I should—”
“Don’t apologize.” I capture her hand and gently kiss her palm. “Just…don’t take it back.”
“Never.” She pulls me down for another kiss, this one slower, deeper. “I love you,” she murmurs against my lips. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”
Each repetition fills my heart more. I roll onto my back, pulling her on top of me, needing to feel the weight of her, the reality of her.
She straddles my hips, hands braced on my chest, hair falling around us like a curtain. Her blue eyes look dark, pupils blown wide.
“I love you, too,” I finally manage, my voice wrecked. “So much it scares me sometimes. The thought of losing you—”
“You won’t.” She leans down, resting her forehead against mine this time. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
The bond pulses between us—bright and wild and absolutely sure. I can feel her honesty through it, feel the truth of her words echoing in my chest.
“You’re mine,” I say.
“I’m yours,” she confirms. “Always.”
I flip us over in one smooth motion, settling between her thighs. She gasps, legs wrapping around my waist, pulling me closer.
“Say it again,” I demand, needing to hear it one more time.
Her smile is brilliant, blinding. “I love you, Seth.”
I capture her mouth in a kiss that feels like a vow, like a promise, like everything I’ve ever wanted finally coming true.
“Show me you love me,” she whispers against my lips.
And I do.